State Briefs 4/29/09

CAPRON – Swine flu fears have caused Capron Elementary School to call off its plans for a “kiss the pig” contest.

The would-be swine smooch was planned for May 8, but was called off because of growing concerns over the virus that has killed more than 150 people in Mexico and recently spread into the United States.

The contest was part of a program to encourage students to read. Students who completed reading challenges would have their names entered into a drawing to choose the teacher they wanted to pucker up with a pig.

Students still will get their reading reward in another form, Principal Matt Klett said. It might be a pie in the face for a teacher, or administrators could bring in a different farm animal.

Rockford Register Star

Peoria County gets failing grade on air quality

PEORIA – Peoria County gets a failing grade for its air quality, according to the American Lung Association’s 10th annual State of the Air report.

Under a stricter standard for ozone levels, most counties around the nation saw their “grades” drop this year.

Peoria’s score for ozone went from an “A” to an “F”. Health authorities say the new score is a better reflection of the actual dangers of ozone.

Peoria Journal Star

Rockford schools to ask about symptoms when kids called in sick

ROCKFORD – All Rockford School District schools will ask parents to describe their child’s symptoms when they call to report students who stay home sick.

The new procedure is part of an effort to assist the Winnebago County Health Department in monitoring possible swine flu cases, district officials announced Wednesday in a news release.

Schools also received forms to report symptoms associated with swine flu including fever, cough, sore throat and vomiting.

Data on the nature of student illnesses will be reported to local health officials daily.

Rockford Register Star

Man at center of alleged brutality case indicted on drug charges

PEORIA – A man at the center of an investigation of alleged police brutality has been indicted on federal drug trafficking charges.

A federal grand jury indicted Bryce R. Scott, 34, for drug trafficking conspiracy. He and Marvin L. Jackson, 21, are accused of moving more than 1,000 grams of heroin through the area between 2006 and 2008. The charge was returned last week but sealed until Scott appeared in federal court Monday.

Scott's past criminal record, which contains two prior drug felonies, means he likely will face a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

Jackson was arrested in Houston and is awaiting extradition to Peoria.

A complaint last month said police arrested Jackson after he left the Brookview apartment complex and they found 13.6 grams of heroin. Police later found about 120 grams of heroin just outside their apartment, according to the complaint.

Then, in late March, an informant allegedly linked Scott to more than 1,600 grams of heroin, or more than $200,000 worth of the drug.

Three Peoria police officers have been indicted for official misconduct stemming from a car chase in May 2008 that ended with Scott being beaten and shot with a Taser.

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